The Week in Mexico

USD border researcher honored: David Shirk, director of the Trans-Border Institute at the University of San Diego, was named a 2009-2010 fellow at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington. Shirk will do research on “The Rule of Law in Mexico and the Border Region.”

Retiring scholar honored: Wayne Cornelius, founding director of both the Center for U.S.-Mexican Studies and the Center for Comparative Immigration Studies at the University of California San Diego, was given a rousing retirement send-off by about 140 people Tuesday. Among many former students in attendance was Juan Molinar Horcasitas, now Mexico's transportation and communications minister, who greeted Cornelius by affectionately calling him “Boss!” Former student Grecia Lima, now a community organizer in Santa Barbara, called Cornelius “Profe” and gave him an El Santo wrestling mask. USD's Shirk also paid tribute to Cornelius.

2 escapees recaptured: Federal agents in Hidalgo state recaptured Marcos Espinoza and Osvaldo García, two of 53 inmates who escaped from Cieneguillas prison in Zacatecas state last month.

Customs official abducted: Federal investigators questioned 48 Veracruz city traffic officers about the disappearance of Veracruz Customs Administrator Francisco Serrano, who has not been seen since his smashed government vehicle was found abandoned at an accident scene.